In this seminar, current topics in the field of sustainable production management are studied by applying the methods of Operations Research and documented in a seminar paper.

Production represents the coordinated use of production factors for the production of goods and the generation of services. Decisions made in this area therefore play an important role in the success of industrial companies.

With the 2030 Agenda, the global community has set itself 17 common goals for sustainable development, which result in additional demands and political requirements for the activities of companies. Decisions in production management should therefore be taken according to ecological and social aspects in addition to technological and economic aspects.

The students learn the application of selected methods of Operations Research (OR). OR refers to the field of research that deals with the development and application of mathematical procedures for decision support. In the area of industrial production, taking sustainable development into account, there are a large number of problems that can be solved using OR methods. Optimisation and life cycle assessment (LCA) models from this background are the subject of the seminar. For this purpose, the basics for developing an optimisation or LCA model are taught with the help of the Python programming language.

• After successfully completing the course, students will be able to:

• implement a basic LCA or optimisation model,

• independently work on a defined topic in the field of production management, taking into account sustainability aspects, using scientific methods and communicate the acquired knowledge in writing and in presentation in the class,

• present the results of their work in writing and orally,

• place both their own and other students' findings in the overall thematic context, critically question and discuss them.

Knowledge in Operations Research

The course includes joint classroom sessions as well as self-study work and is organized according to the following structure:

• Topics are assigned during a joint kick-off event. The students have the opportunity to express preferences within the topics offered. The topics themselves differ in the method applied and the area of application from the field of sustainable production management.

• In preparation for writing the seminar paper, introductory literature is handed out for each topic. In addition, instructions are given on how to write a scientific paper.

• The topics are then worked on by the students in self-study.

• The self-study is supplemented by joint attendance events, in which the students have the opportunity to address open questions and receive feedback on the work done so far.

The results of the work are presented in the form of a final presentation followed by a discussion round.

Assessment criteria:

• Content - 30 % (presentation of the problem, explanation of the model, meaningful discussion of the results).

• Practical part - 30 % (implementation of the model and choice of a problem instance, independence)

• Form - 20 % (structure of the paper, citation, language, technical vocabulary, spelling, all other formal requirements)

• Participation in the discussion in the seminar - 20 %

Articles on selected issues of production management from scientific journals. These will be made available as part of the event.

• B.Sc. Industrial Engineering (Electrical Power Engineering and Economics), PO19 - B-WI(EET)-19 (Elective subject)

• B.Sc. Industrial Engineering (Information Technology and Economics), PO19 - B-WI(IT)-19 (Elective subject)

• B.Sc. Industrial Engineering (Mechanical Engineering and Economics), PO19 - B-WI(MB)-19 (Elective subject)

• Compulsory elective area Business Administration B-Wi_PO19